[However, experts say drops in consumer confidence don't always portend a fall in consumer spending.] There is a danger in looking at one indicator and trying to predict consumer behavior, ... You can't ignore that kind of drop. |
A good economy isn't an automatic fixer for department stores. To attract customers they need to differentiate themselves. They aren't doing that right now. |
A good holiday season means great things for the economy since consumer spending makes up two-thirds of the gross domestic product, It could create something of a slowdown in the beginning of next year if consumers are really splurging right now. |
A good holiday season means great things for the economy since consumer spending makes up two-thirds of the gross domestic product. |
A lot of inventories had been committed to six months out. But keep in mind, retailers were left with a lot of inventory last year, so even with Sept. 11, chances are retailers were in a pretty good spot. Inventories are still lean going into the holiday season. |
After judging December so far, there's no reason for us to change course, |
Basically everyone is going to enjoy better sales than they did last year. |
By the time it comes back to them, it's on markdown. |
Earlier, we were considered optimistic, but it's difficult to compare all the numbers. |
From what we've been hearing Saturday was a huge day for sales and a huge day for traffic, |
I am not buying into ho-hum theory yet. This week is going to be very telling. |
I know from experience. It all kind of creates the retail perfect storm. |
I think it remains to be seen how things go over the next month, ... The forecast is always open to revision depending on a set of circumstances we might not have seen. That could mean the effects from the lockout, or it could mean what happens if we got to war with Iraq. |
I think we need to take a step back from the immediate and take a look at the long term. The fact remains that It's uncertain what the impact is going to be in the long term. We shouldn't underestimate the perseverance of the U.S. economy. I think by saying people are going to be too depressed to buy isn't telling the whole story. I think people understand what's happening in the economy and they know that they need to do their part. |
Inventories are still lean and we'll see item-specific sales similar to last year's level. Also, there are two extra sales days during the holidays. That should help retailers. |